A city centre with a bright future
Aberdeen city centre is undergoing huge regeneration thanks to a £100million package of investment from Aberdeen City Council, the Scottish and UK governments, and private sector partners.
Over the next 18-months, Union Street will be transformed into a high street fit for the 21st century - and for a limited time, incoming businesses can take advantage of fit-out grants of £35,000 and up to two years rent and rates free, subject to conditions.
The wider city economy is set to benefit from over £16billion of investment in the coming decade as it becomes a global leader in the energy transition, food and drink and the life science sectors. Aberdeen is on the up, and there has never been a better time to be part of it.
Investing in our future
£40m international food and drink market
Construction is underway on a new international food destination which will be at the centre of Union Street's regeneration. The destination venue will promote the local produce which has made Aberdeen world-renowned, alongside continental-style delicatessens, cafes, and food outlets. There will also be the flexible-use outside space for music and major sporting events.
£28m rebirth of Union Terrace Gardens
The historic green lung of Aberdeen city centre - Union Terrace Gardens - has been reborn after a £28million regeneration project led by the city council. This Victorian garden is now an urban oasis with direct access from Union Street, attracting visitors from all over the city and wider Scotland. It is also home to a number of thriving local businesses, including a destination wine bar.
£20m investment in new streetscape
Works to upgrade a section of Aberdeen’s main thoroughfare represent a major milestone in revitalising the Granite Mile – the biggest change to the street since it was built more than 200 years ago. The improvements include a new road surface and widened pavements using locally-sourced granite, cycle lanes, green landscaping and a plaza entrance to the new market building.
£35m landmark Art Gallery redevelopment
Aberdeen Art Gallery has undergone a landmark £35million redevelopment, supported by Aberdeen City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It was named joint winner of the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2020 and was voted Scotland's best building in 2021. It is a major driver of footfall in the city centre.
The Ultimate Masterclass Festival
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has invested in bringing world class speakers to Aberdeen city centre through its Ultimate Masterclass Festival. Speakers to date have included Diary of a CEO star Steven Bartlett, football legend and entrepreneur Gary Neville and television icon Davina McCall. The series has been designed to inspire the local community.
International street art phenomenon Nuart
Widely regarded as the best street art festival of its kind in the world, Nuart Aberdeen is a not-for-profit event supported by partners Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen City Council. Since the first Nuart festival in Aberdeen in 2017, it has attracted tens of thousands of visitors, boosting the local economy, as well as providing a lasting legacy throughout the city centre.
A thriving regional economy
Major investment pipeline
More than £16billion is being invested in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire over the next decade, one of the biggest investment pipelines in the UK.
A prosperous local economy
Aberdeen has long been one of the most prosperous cities in the UK owing to its ongoing position as the oil and gas capital of Europe.
International net zero capital
Tens of thousands of renewable energy jobs are being created in Aberdeen through large-scale offshore wind and hydrogen projects.
Voted best place to live in the UK
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire were recently voted the best places to live in the UK and our 500,000 population enjoys an unrivalled quality of life.
An emerging global cruise destination
Following a major harbour expansion, Aberdeen is now a fast-growing cruise market with around 100,000 visitors a year expected to call by 2030.
A well-connected city centre
Aberdeen city centre is well connected with frequent direct rail services to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and London.
Our £16bn regional investment pipeline
Almost £16billion of investment will be poured into the North-east economy over the next decade, according to new research.
The sixth edition of Investment Tracker - published by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Invest Aberdeen and Opportunity North East - shows record levels of investment coming into the Aberdeen city region between now and 2033.
On top of £6.5billion worth of projects already delivered since the report was launched in 2016, further infrastructure and regeneration activities totalling £15.9billion are now in the pipeline.
